About Us
The Well began to form in February 2011 when a small group of people gathered to dream together about a new community of faith rooted in the life-giving, love-centered way of Jesus.
We began gathering in Springfield, a neighborhood just north of downtown Jacksonville, home to a dynamic intersection of people from diverse racial, socioeconomic & faith backgrounds. It seemed a good fit for a group seeking to experiment with new ways of being church.
From the beginning, owning a building has been optional, not assumed. Our first year together was spent gathering weekly for potluck dinner at Carl’s Main Street Diner. Since then, we have gathered in coffee houses, breweries, parks, laundromats, homes & other community spaces to learn, listen, create sacred space & learn to love our neighbors as we are learning to love ourselves.
We are a collection of believers, non-believers, skeptics, saints, gay, straight, young, old, black, white, brown, churched & church-averse folks. We ask questions, have difficult conversations, share stories & resources, eat together often & try our best to practice the way of Jesus together.
Here are some stories from people who have spent time with us.
OUR BEGINNINGS
We come together as a community of equals, as a refuge for the marginalized and the misfits, as a human family longing to be made whole, as a spiritual community journeying together into Jesus’s way of freedom, love, joy, mercy, justice, and peace. As such, we hold these values in common and seek to practice them in community:
Connection: We nurture connection with God, ourselves, and one another through spiritual practices, scripture exploration, spending time in nature, throwing parties, and hosting meaningful conversations.
Belonging: We make space for people from a variety of walks of life to come together, to share their stories, hopes, questions and struggles, and to fully participate in our life together.
Becoming: As life-long learners, we value curiosity and openness over certainty. We are shaped by diverse voices and perspectives and are committed to confronting our biases and prejudices.
Creativity: We are inspired to embrace change with courage, trust and imagination. We experiment with many ways of gathering and foster an atmosphere of openness, simplicity and freedom.
Engagement: We see faith as a practice for the common good, not a commodity to be consumed. The spiritual journey is meant to make a difference in how we live, love ourselves, treat our neighbors, and care for the earth.
You can learn more about some of the ways we practice these values here.
OUR MISSION & CORE VALUES
Rev. Susan Rogers (pronouns she/her) grew up in Jacksonville and graduated from Terry Parker High School and the University of Florida. After working as an occupational therapist for 9 years, she sensed a call into vocational ministry and moved to Atlanta to attend seminary. Starting a church was never on her radar. As writer Anne Lamott said so perfectly, “If you want to make God laugh, tell her your plans(!).” Her own evolving faith combined with a love for both the church & for experimenting with new, more spacious ways of being church led to starting The Well in 2011.
She is a graduate of McAfee School of Theology (2008) and served at Peachtree Baptist Church in Atlanta before returning to Jax in 2010 to start The Well through a generous partnership with the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Florida.
She is passionate about creating authentic spiritual community, reimagining church and making space for those who’ve been told they don’t belong. She is married, has two adult daughters, and way too many books.
OUR PASTOR
OUR CHILDREN’S FAITH & WONDER COORDINATOR
Amanda Holder (pronouns she/her) has always had a heart for children. From volunteering in her church nursery to caring for younger cousins to earning degrees in Early Childhood Education and Special Education, caring for and learning alongside children has shaped her in many ways. After several years spent teaching special education, one of her greatest joys became homeschooling her daughter and allowing curiosity to guide their learning together.
Her experiences have deepened her belief that every child has something valuable to teach us if we're willing to listen. Amanda is passionate about creating spaces where questions are welcomed, curiosity is celebrated, and exploring together matters more than having all the answers.
She hopes every child knows they are deeply loved, their voice matters, and their perspective is valued. Through nature, storytelling, creativity, science, and experiences of wonder, Amanda invites children to discover a faith rooted in love—one that nurtures compassion for themselves, others, and the Earth we share. She believes that when children feel safe to wonder, question, and be heard, they don't just learn about God—they begin to recognize the sacred gifts already within them. It is a joy and privilege for her to wonder alongside them.
Amanda enjoys homeschooling, gardening with her husband, Mark, hiking with their daughter and furry companions, watercolor painting, writing, and listening to audiobooks.
MAKING IT HAPPEN TOGETHER
We are shaped by those who participate with us, which means we are constantly changing shape as people come and go! Some who currently facilitate and coordinate groups, serve in various roles, or serve as liaisons to community partners include —
Andrew Robinson Elementary Liaison: Mary Elizabeth Ballentine
Book Club: Susan Schremp
Bookkeeper: Leslie Fine
Church in the Wild: Deb Westmoreland and Cheryl Warner
Clearness Circle: Michelle Palmieri
Finance Coordinator: Ben Wooley
LEAD Team: Patti Peeples, Susan Rogers, Cheryl Warner, Michelle Palmieri, Laurel Wooley, Ben Wooley
Sanctuary on 8th Street Liaison: Laurel Wooley
Story & Soul (Writing Group): Mae Beth Ragland and Patti Peeples
Sunday Gathering Volunteer Coordinator: Mary Elizabeth Ballentine
Thursday Theologians: Tim Kerr
Treasurer: Bob Beyard
